Zach Randolph Chat Transcript
Z-BO chatted on Thursday.NBAE/Getty Images |
Zach Randolph is a Portland crowd favorite who averaged 20.1ppg and 10.5rpg, one of only five NBA players to average more than 20 points per game and 10 rebounds per game last season.
For his efforts, he was selected as the NBA's Most Improved Player, the first Trail Blazer to win the award since Kevin Duckworth in 1987-88. Randolph led Portland in scoring in 44 of the 81 games he played in and in rebounding 61 times. He ranked in the NBA's top 20 in 19 different league statistical categories at season's end, including sixth in rebounding , eighth in defensive rebounding and ninth in offensive rebounding.
The 6-foot-9, 259-pound Randolph posted 43 double-doubles, the highest team total since Mychal Thompson set an all-time club record of 55 during the 1981-82 season. He scored in double numbers in 78 of the 81 games he played in last season and registered 20 or more points 43 times. Randolph reached the 30-plus mark on three occasions, including a career-high 34-point effort in the Trail Blazers 95-93 overtime victory over Indiana on December 3rd.
Zach chatted live with fans on Thursday, Nov. 4. Check out the full chat transcript below:
Scott - (Tacoma): Big Blazer fan since the 70's! How do you feel about the chemistry of this team starting the season compared to last? We seem to have more potential!
Zach Randolph: We got a lot of chemistry this year. We have alot of good players and we had a good training camp and things are looking good.
Cernatescu (Gresham) : FIRST OFF URE MY FAVORITE BLAZER,KEEP IT UP!!!How do you think the addition of Nick Van Exel, will help the blazers??
Zach Randolph: As you can tell last night, Nick is capable of big things. He's gonna do some things for us, he's a big time player. He has been hitting big shots all his career and that's gonna be great for us.
Nathan (Marion, IN): Z-Bo:
How excited are you to have your #50 retired next Thursday at Bill Green Arena? We are all so proud of you!!
Please keep a place for "us" in your heart!!! You deserve it all!!!!
Zach Randolph: It's gonna be a big moment for me next week to get my high school jersey retired. When I played there, I looked at the other jerseys and hoped someday mine would go up there and it's a great thing for that to happen to me next week. I'm very excited about it.
Robert (Australia): hey zach, congrats on the new contract. I heard you love video games what are you currently playing?
Zach Randolph: Right now, I'm playing NBA 2K 5 and Madden 2005.
Nick (Portland): Z-bo..you think you will be a all-star this year
Zach Randolph: I just have to play hard every night and focus on our team winning and getting wins. If the All-Star thing happens, it happens, but I can't get caught up in that. I need to play hard and get wins for my team.
Erica (Oakland): Hey Z-BO! Congrats on the new contract - looking forward to seeing you in a Blazers uniform for years to come! Good win last night! How does this win help the teams confidence?
Zach Randolph: Last night was a great win for us. We wanted to pick up a win on the road and stay focused. We need to take it one game at a time, but to get the first one in the win column was good.
Jose (Lima): how good do you think Sebastian Telfair is?
Zach Randolph: Sebastian is looking real good. He had a good camp and he has alot of heart. At age 19, you can't teach that, you can't teach heart. He is gonna be real good for us.
Kae Steez (Portland): You were the Most Improved Player last year. What parts of your game are you trying to improve this year? You're gonna be a All-Star this year dawg!
Zach Randolph: I'm just trying to work on making my teammates better and getting good things out of them. I want to pass the ball, help guys do well and work on everything about my game. If I can do that, I think we can win some ballgames.
Jason (Las Vegas): Zach what were some of the things you did in the off season to stay in shape, and to get away from the game?
Zach Randolph: I just spent time with my family and worked on conditioning. I had a personal trainer and worked on the track and did drills and worked on my shot.
Tom (Portland): what is the first big purchase you'll make with your new contract?
Zach Randolph: I'm going to wait right now, my contract doesn't kick in until next year, so I'm just gonna wait a little while.
Romand (Portland): Who's the toughest player in the NBA you've played against and why?
Zach Randolph: Probably Kevin Garnett. He's long, athletic, runs the court, he has so many skills. He's an All-Star, the MVP
David (Bronx, NY): Hey, Zach, what's up? I totally respect you as a basketball player. I have seen your progression with the Blazers and I can be the first one to say you are blossoming to the top. Who are your basketball role models?
Zach Randolph: Players right now...are like Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan. Growing up I looked up to Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson.
Alex (Gresham): Do you think the blazers, will make the playoffs this year? Good luck
Zach Randolph: Yes, we will make the playoffs. I think we have a good chance to go far too. We need to take it one game at a time, but I think we can really surprise some people and do well this year.
Zach Randolph: Thanks for all the fan support and thanks for posting the questions. Come on out and support the Trail Blazers and I look forward to chatting with you again in the future.
